After tucking the kids into bed, I got ready for bed myself and made myself a nice warm bath to relax a bit. I filled the tub with bubbles and cut off the water at my preferred amount, stripped myself of my clothed, and sat in the tub. The warm water hitting my skin cause me to get goosebumps and relax.
As I laid in the tub, I let a relaxed sigh escape my lips and fell back against the wall.
It's been so long since I felt this...free. Free if my worries, pain, loneliness...
"Perfect."
After thirty minutes, I washed myself and got out the tub, drained the water, brushed my teeth and hair, washed my face, and put on my night gown. I peeled back my covers and slide into bed trying to make myself comfortable.
"A perfect ending for a decent day. I met with Hinata-san, managed to stay put together with Kiba-san, had dinner with my kids... Today was...good."
As I reminisced on the following day, I thought about Hinata-san's and I conversation. About my dreams. It's been so long since I've had them, since coming back in time. I almost completely forgetten about them. And just how bad they were. I'd wake up screaming so loud, loud enough for him to hear me. To see me. To save me.
I felt myself go from relaxed to...scared? Anxious? It was a feeling I always had before I went to bed. I could never name the exact feeling, but I knew it all too well.
I shifted on to my side.
What if I have that dream again? Sure I haven't had in weeks but now that I think about it...
"Just go to bed Sakura. You'll be fine." I demanded to myself. And with that, I closed my eyes and cleared my mind.
"Sakura."
My eyes fluttered open to see I was still in my room. But it was so dark, the only light shone through was the crack in the door.
I tried to move but...I couldn't? Why couldn't I move? Why can't I talk?! What's going on?!
The room was so quiet, all I could hear was my own heavy breathing. That and my thoughts. This must be what they call sleep paralysis.
Great
"Sakura."
That familiar voice. Naruto?
My eyes darted to my door and there stood my husband. Broken and bloody just like the day he died.
"Sakura...save me Sakura." His shaky arm reached towards me. The small light in the room highlighted his shadowy figure more and more as he stepped closer.
"Why...why did you leave me, Sakura?"His voice was thick and kind of strained.
All I could think of was to move. Just move one limb, one finger, one toe, anything! As he got closer, I could feel my eyes watering and my breathing getting heavier and uneven.
Somebody please save me!
He-no...
It stopped at the side of my bed, looking down at me. I looked up and met eyes with it. Such hollowness filled it. Just like a corpse.
"We can be together still," It raised it's hands and I instantly thought the worse. Was it going to choke me? Or worse! By now, I was hyperventilating through my nose. I closed my eyes in anticipation but...nothing came.
I opened my eyes to see the shadowy figure gone. Instead, I felt a weight beside me. Golden arms wrapped around my limp body. I began to panic but then I heard it. Heard...him?
"It's ok Sakura-chan. As long as I'm here, I won't let anything hurt you." His angelic voice range through my ears. Hearing him made me relax my breathing and my body. I felt his hands caress my head and arms. "I'll protect you. I promise. Now rest."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Mom wake up!"
I sat up rubbing my eyes and stretching. When my eyes finally cleared from the drowsiness, I saw that it was Shinachiku at my bedroom door calling me.
"W-What, why did you call me?" I asked through a yawn.
"It's Saturday!" Hanami joined him. "And you said you'll take us out all day!"
"Guys, it's," I looked at my bedside clock, "7:12 am..."
"But it's an all day event! No take backs!" Hanami protested.
"...Go back to bed." I said.
"But-" Shinachiku tried to say but I interrupted.
"We'll start at 11. Goodbye." I declared and closed my door. I could hear them through the door moan and groan but reluctantly walk away. I laughed to myself and got back into the bed. As soon as I did, thoughts from last night started to come to mind.
I've had anxiety attacks and PTSD episodes but never have I had a sleep paralysis episode. Did last night's thoughts trigger them? And that figure... And Naruto...
I could feel his warm arms around me, his voice feeling my ears ,making it a point to reassure me.
"Mmm."
I smiled to myself and closed my eyes as his words range through my mind.
I'll protect you, I promise.